Finishing well is about executing well. However, executing projects is fraught with uncertainty and variation. For some who manage multiple projects with dependencies, scattered across multiple sources, there is no hope of escape from the chaos. In order to finish well, others have found it possible to take advantage of the uncertainty and variation to complete projects 50% faster, while using fewer resources. The resources not used on the accelerated projects are assigned to tasks on other projects, creating the multi-project environment in which the organization finishes more projects, faster. We will discuss the new rules to managing the chaos and give some examples of organizations who have changed their reputation and bottom line.

PDUs Available:

1.00 PDUs for Certified PMs

Event Keywords

Soft Skills

About the Speaker

Kent Kettell

Lead Engineer

Kent Kettell served in the US Navy as a Machinists’ Mate, Submarine Officer, and Engineering Duty Officer, retiring at the rank of Commander in 2005. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering from the US Naval Academy and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and the educational degree of Mechanical Engineer in Total Ship Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Since 1997, Kent has focused on quality and process improvement in both operations and project management. Having served as IT Director, Quality Assurance Director, and Assistant Operations Officer for Submarine Repair, the Navy offered many opportunities to validate emerging concepts for continuous process improvement.

Now serving within the Department of Homeland Security, Kent was recently selected to lead the Service Delivery Branch of Headquarters Support Division within the IT Services Office of the Office Chief Information Officer. Previously he served as the Lead Engineer for the Enterprise Services Division and was the Program Lead for DHS’s National Security Systems networks. Prior to DHS, Kent served five years in private industry as an Executive Management Consultant with Realization Technologies helping organizations such as Boeing, the US Air Force, and Duke Energy do “more projects, faster.” Witnessing how improvements can be accelerated or derailed by leaders who were either the champions or enemies of change, Kent is in his second year of a doctoral program in Psychology focusing on Industrial and Organizational Behavior preparing to formally document why some improvements succeed above others.

Kent and his wife have three daughters and six sons whose ages range from seven through 27 years old. Having had 16 addresses through the years, they have settled on a sheep farm in Northern Virginia where they have ample opportunity to teach their children the value of work.

About the Reston Local Community

Each month, PMIWDC Reston Local Community volunteers strive to bring you interesting and informative speakers from a wide range of professions. They present these speakers to you at the Leidos building or other organization located at Reston Town center. This is an opportunity to network with other professionals of the PMI. The conference center at Leidos offers a maximum seating of approximately 30 guests. Pre-registration is required. Luncheons are held every third Wednesday of the month. If you are interested in presenting please contact the PMIWDC Staff who can put you in touch with the Luncheon Committee Volunteers. List of past events can be viewed below. Please follow PM Reston on facebook.